Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Help with fatboy

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 8, 2012 | 10:41 AM
  #1  
Curdog's Avatar
Curdog
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 91
Likes: 16
From: Alabama
Default Help with fatboy

I recently bought an 08 fatboy and haven't had a chance to ride it much. It sounds like it is running on one cylinder and the check engine light will come on. The ethanol gas has been in the tank for awhile, about 1 gal. I put some seafoam gas treatment in the tank, fresh gas, and changed the plugs but the problem is still there. Any suggestions? I am new to this forum so I apologize for asking this question twice.
 
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2012 | 10:45 AM
  #2  
Tampa Fatboy's Avatar
Tampa Fatboy
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13,456
Likes: 10,452
From: Sunshine State
Default

Not what you want to hear but that can turn into a long thread, quite a few things be the prob. I suggest that you drop it off at the local shop only because you arent familar with it.
 
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2012 | 10:53 AM
  #3  
lgenf's Avatar
lgenf
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 4
From: Boca Raton, FL
Default

do yourself a favor and post a new thread about asking for a good indy shop around your area
 
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2012 | 11:04 AM
  #4  
Miked053's Avatar
Miked053
Supporter
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: Lewisville, TX
Default

Did you buy it from a dealer? There might be some warentee things they can do or at least inspect it. If not you could always go to the person you bought it from but that usually never works. There are many many things that could be going on and without specifics on whats going on or what mods have been done to the bike we arnt gonna be of much help
 
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2012 | 12:42 PM
  #5  
mswing1234's Avatar
mswing1234
Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 507
Likes: 4
From: Wentzville, Missouri
Default

Originally Posted by Curdog
I recently bought an 08 fatboy and haven't had a chance to ride it much. It sounds like it is running on one cylinder and the check engine light will come on. The ethanol gas has been in the tank for awhile, about 1 gal. I put some seafoam gas treatment in the tank, fresh gas, and changed the plugs but the problem is still there. Any suggestions? I am new to this forum so I apologize for asking this question twice.
When you post a question like this it invites a year long thread while the rest of the forum makes educated suggestions. If you're going to work on this yourself, get a service manual. Before you jump on the forum, check the easy stuff first. Are you getting spark? what does the plug look like, etc...That way we won't be wasting time starting at the most basic level and you'll get a little more cooperation from the good people here.
 
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2012 | 02:48 PM
  #6  
Curdog's Avatar
Curdog
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 91
Likes: 16
From: Alabama
Default Problem with Fatboy

Thanks to all. I have retrieved the codes and called them into the dealer. I live a ways away from a dealer but he said he would call me back. I'm sure I'm going to have to take it to them anyway but thanks for your replies.
 
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2012 | 06:13 PM
  #7  
jlasoftail's Avatar
jlasoftail
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 99
From: P.E.I. Canada
Default

Do some homework and check for the simple things before you take it in. It might turn out to be something very simple, but if it's over your head, take it to a good indy.
 
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2012 | 07:53 PM
  #8  
FroggyFatBoy's Avatar
FroggyFatBoy
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 14
From: Western MD
Default

a dead cylinder can be so many things yet just a few basic checks can get it checked for the right direction to go.. ck for fire at each plug wire.. loosen them before you start the bike, then slowly pull the wire off the plug and see if hear a snapping sound on both wires and what cyl makes the least difference with the wire pulled off. if thats good then you have fire. note what cylinder didin't change when you pulled the wire off. now swap plugs and see if the miss moves to the other cyl. if it does, then you know that plug is bad. if that doesn't change, ck the injectors and make sure they are connected all the way. since it is the easiest, you may want to look in and check before you do the plug wire deal. listen for a hissing noise while its running like a vac leak. that info should get ya somewhere if it is actually missing.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
guspi76
Softail Models
9
Jun 29, 2018 10:13 AM
Gijoe11
Softail Models
1
Feb 21, 2015 06:58 PM
Fredtoro
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
5
Apr 19, 2014 02:03 PM
Curdog
Softail Models
1
Mar 8, 2012 10:33 AM
sprout29
Welcome Area Only
10
Apr 21, 2008 03:49 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:58 AM.

story-0
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-6
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-7
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-8
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE